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Byron Shire
June 5, 2026

COVID-19 update: May 16

Latest News

Marooned yacht on rocks near Ballina

A local photographer has shot a marooned yacht at Flat Rock, in Ballina Shire. It's the second boat to be washed ashore in recent months

Other News

Before The Shed falls silent…

Join the Nudge crew this Saturday for the season ten finale of Nudge Nudge Wink Wink (NNWW) in The Shed at the Billinudgel Hotel – bringing another unforgettable night of music, connection and community spirit to the Northern Rivers.

Northern Rivers philanthropic org reveals 2025 achievements

Not-for-profit philanthropic organisation,  Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF), have released their annual report for 2025, revealing $2.4m was raised, and 121 projects funded across the region.

Lismore Lantern Parade returns 20 June

The iconic Lismore Lantern Parade will once again light up the streets of Lismore on Saturday 20 June, kicking off with a full day of markets, live music and exciting activities.

Australian classic comes to Byron Theatre

A major new stage adaptation of Jessica Anderson’s Miles Franklin Award-winning novel Tirra Lirra by the River will come to Byron Theatre in a limited season from 5 to 13 June.

Love Lennox Festival returns June 13

The all day Love Lennox Festival returns Saturday, 13 June, with organisers saying they expect more than 10,000 attendees to gather across town for one of the region’s most loved community events.

Local family-owned Byron businesses asking for your support

Long-term, local Byron businesses are calling on the community for support as they struggle to remain afloat as the drainage works in Byron Bay continue.

The Northern NSW Local Health District says that to 4pm yesterday, 15 May, 384 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the District, including 82 positive PCR tests and 302 positive rapid antigen tests (RAT)**.

Confirmed tests by LGA (PCR and RAT included):

  • Ballina 63
  • Byron 38
  • Clarence Valley 53
  • Kyogle 7
  • Lismore 81
  • Richmond Valley 26
  • Tweed 116

There are 50 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with none of these in ICU.

The NSW Health website has a range of COVID-19 information, including weekly COVID-19 surveillance reports which contain detailed analysis and trends.

You can also find more COVID-19 statistics on the NSW Government website.

If you have even mild symptoms or have had known contact with a COVID-19 case, please get tested as soon as you can. Please isolate while awaiting a negative result.

If you test positive using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), please register your result with Service NSW.

To protect yourself and others:

  • don’t go out if you’re unwell
  • take your mask with you so you can wear it if you’re somewhere you can’t socially distance, especially indoors, and
  • use hand sanitiser or wash your hands regularly.

** RAT results may be from within the previous seven days, and there may be some cases included in these numbers where people have reported positive RATs on multiple days and/or where people have also had a positive PCR test during the same reporting period.


Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19

COVID-19 reduces Australian life expectancy

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row.

Wuhan market increasingly likely origin point for COVID-19

An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market.

Editorial – There’s a bat in my lab! 

The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19. 

Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need

Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week.

COVID-19 pandemic has cut life expectancy globally

COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal.

COVID-19 update for New South Wales

Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day.

Five graphs you need to see before the Global Carbon Budget...

The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing.

Public transport mask mandate to end

Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September.



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Echo celebrates 40 with awards night tomorrow

Tickets are selling fast! Come join a fun-filled night of community celebration – This Saturday (tomorrow) The Echo is set to mark its 40th year in style with a ’30s swing-era style party and community awards night featuring the dynamic sounds of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Author Tristan Bancks follows up with Two Wolves sequel

Local author Tristan Bancks launched his new book for readers 10+, Raised By Wolves, at Byron Book Room last night (Thursday 4 June).

Lismore City Council recognised for environmental leadership at LG awards

Lismore City Council has been recognised for outstanding achievement in environmental leadership, resilience and community infrastructure at the 2026 LG Professionals NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.

Byron Council’s Sandhills Wetlands project takes first place at LG awards

The Sandhills Wetland restoration project in Byron Bay has won another major award, with Byron Shire Council taking first place at the Local Government Professionals 2026 NSW Excellence Awards.